Mount Takao

Mount Takao is a mountain 599 meters high and is
located about 10 km west-southwest of Hachioji city and about 42 km
west of Shinjuku.

It has been designated Meiji-no-Mori Takao Quasi-National Park, and has
been the land of Takaosan-Yakuouin temple, so rich and natural forests
in this mountain have been protected for a long time.

Because visitors can come here from central Tokyo in about an hours,
more than 2.5 million visitors a year climb this mountain.

The express trains of Keio Line leads to the east foot of the
mountain from Shinjuku directly, then Takaosan-guchi
station is the starting point of the hiking.
Between here and the top, six trails (Trail 1-6) and Inariyama Trail
are set
up.
We can shortcut with a cable car or a lift.
Additionally a trail from the top to Mount Jinba located about 8 km
northwest also is set up.

On the top, there is an observatory and a visitor center.
We can see the towns in Tokyo and Yokohama city in the distance.
If it is fine, we can see Mount Fuji to the southwest.

On the mountainside, there is Takaosan-Yakuouin temple.
It is a Buddhist temple of Shingon sect, and it is said that the temple
was founded in 744.
Many temple buildings are dotted in the mountain.